A Wave of Silence Hits Your TV Screen: Three Beloved Music Channels Vanish Overnight!
If you're a fan of tuning into your Freeview or Sky TV for a dose of music, you've likely noticed a significant void. Three popular music channels – That's 80s, That's Oldies, and That's Melody – have abruptly ceased broadcasting, with their signals disappearing in the dead of night. This sudden shutdown by their parent company, That's TV, has left many viewers scrambling for their favorite tunes.
For Freeview users, this news is particularly disheartening. That's Oldies was the last dedicated music station broadcasting full-time on the platform, holding a prime spot on channel 75. Sky users haven't been spared either, as all three channels, previously accessible on channels 359 to 361, have been removed from their TV Guide.
But here's where it gets controversial... This isn't just a simple channel closure. Reports suggest that the company behind these channels, That's Media Limited, has been grappling with significant cost-cutting measures and has a history of failing to file their accounts on time. In fact, Companies House is now considering strike-off proceedings against the company for these persistent delays. This marks the second time in 2024 that the firm has been late with its financial paperwork. Back in December, two other Freeview channels, That's TV (UK) and That's TV 2, also went off-air, believed to be due to financial distribution issues.
And this is the part most people miss... While these traditional channels may be gone, your music fix isn't entirely lost! That's TV is still offering four music channels via streaming platforms like Rakuten TV and Pluto TV, and thankfully, That's 80s is among them. If you have an LG television, you can also catch these music channels through LG Channels.
Furthermore, some musical content remains on the other That's TV channels. That's TV 2 has revamped its daytime schedule to feature classic music videos from the 60s and 70s, and That's TV 3 continues to air some music programming during less busy hours. While there were rumors of its closure this past weekend, it has, for now, remained on air.
This development sadly reflects a broader trend in the television landscape. The era of traditional music television is undoubtedly waning. We've seen the disappearance of MTV's linear music channels, and Channel 4 previously shut down both 4Music and The Box in 2024. For Sky viewers, with the departure of these That's TV channels, NOW Music channels are now the sole full-time music option available.
However, the rise of streaming services has certainly helped to fill the gap. You can now discover music channels from Vevo, NOW Music, and Xite on platforms such as Pluto TV, Rakuten TV, and Samsung TV Plus.
Adding to the complexity, the cancellation of these TV channels coincides with a looming potential Freeview switch-off. A recent study, titled Stream On: The Future of UK TV, suggests that by the mid-2030s, every UK household could be accessing television solely through internet delivery, paving the way for the retirement of traditional terrestrial broadcasting.
For many, a robust broadband connection is already the norm, offering fast, stable, and always-on internet access for everything from streaming movies to video conferencing. In fact, a staggering 94% of UK adults have internet access at home, and 92% rely on at least one video-on-demand (VOD) service like Netflix or BBC iPlayer.
While streaming offers undeniable convenience, including features like pausing and rewinding live TV, it comes with its own set of considerations. Unlike traditional aerial TV or Freesat, which are free to access, broadband-based television necessitates an internet connection and, consequently, a monthly subscription fee. For instance, to use services like Freely, you'll need a minimum broadband speed of 10Mbps, with most providers charging between £10-£15 per month for such speeds. This could mean millions of UK viewers might be "forced into paying for broadband".
The UK Government is currently reviewing the future of television distribution. For free-to-air broadcasts to continue beyond the current 2034 deadline, multiplex licences will need to be extended, allowing channels to utilize the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform, commonly known as Freeview.
Freeview channels are actively campaigning to prevent the scrapping of free-to-air television in the UK. The Great Network, comprising channels like Great! TV, Great! Christmas, and Great! Movies, has joined the Broadcast 2040+ coalition. This coalition, with over 35 participating organizations, is dedicated to safeguarding traditional linear television and radio broadcasts for the future.
While there's no definitive timeline for the government's review, the last renewal of DTT licences saw the consultation conclude in February 2021, with a deadline in early 2022. This suggests we might not have a clear outcome for several years.
What are your thoughts on the decline of traditional music channels? Do you think a fully internet-based TV future is inevitable, or should free-to-air broadcasts be preserved at all costs? Share your opinions in the comments below!
